Jokanovic grabs point with tactical switch

For a club in seemingly constant transition, Watford are looking remarkably settled. Here, for the sixth game in a row, Javi Gracia named the same starting XI and the former Malaga manager felt they deserved more than the point they got.

“I think we deserved a better result but they played well, they created chances and scored one goal and it’s fair,” said the Spaniard. “I think first half we played much better and it was our chance to win today.”

Nevertheless, the draw keeps Watford in nosebleed territory as they showed no signs of bruised morale following last week’s defeat by Manchester United. They led after 87 seconds when Andre Gray capitalised on fatal hesitation from one of the league’s most generous defences and slid home from Will Hughes’s excellent pass.

Watford were rampant in the first half and should have had a much greater advantage with Gray and Christian Kabasele both missing excellent chances. Fulham were rattled and were lucky not to have Timothy Fosu-Mensah dismissed for an ugly lunge on Troy Deeney. Slavisa Jokanovic rang the changes at half-time, hauling off Alfie Mawson and Kevin McDonald and Fulham improved greatly.

“I make two changes. If I’d had the opportunity I would have made four. No player was at a good enough level,” said the Fulham manager.

Aleksandar Mitrovic headed narrowly over from Andre Schurrle’s cross and Ryan Sessegnon began to threaten on the opposite flank as he adopted a more offensive mindset. Finally their intensity was rewarded as Watford were harried out of possession and Jean Michael Seri fed Luciano Vietto, who slid the ball across the six-yard box for Mitrovic to cleverly poke home.

Isaac Success replaced Gray for the final 10 minutes and the Nigerian’s im- pact was impressive. He almost scored after cutting in from the left but was foiled by a low save from Marcus Bet- tinelli. Fulham also sensed more points might be on offer and Mitrovic twice went close to winning the game.

Jokanovic can be pleased with Fulham’s spirit, if not their quality. Following an outlay of more than £100 million this summer, the Serbian is still searching for his strongest side.